In light of current events, there has been a cry for tighter and heavier regulations on firearms. Before we conclude that gun control is the solution we must consider the negative and positive aspects of these proposed restrictions of buying and owning firearms.

Now, it is important to define what some firearm terms mean so that they are properly understood.

-The now infamous AR-15, does not mean Assault nor Automatic. “AR” stands for ArmaLite, the company which first developed the gun.

-Semi-automatic Weapons, meaning that when a round is fired that another round is loaded into the gun, a general rule is: one round per pull of the trigger.

-While an Automatic rifle (which is illegal across the US) means that when the trigger is held that multiple rounds are released continuously.

-Long Rifle, this is a rifle that must be held with two hands.

-Handgun, firearm meant to be used with one hand.

-Short-Barreled Weapons, is where a long barrel weapon, such as most hunting rifles or shotguns are shortened to the point that they are close to the size of some handguns (This is illegal).

-Bump Stocks, a gun stock that when a rifle is fired the stock bumps the rifle back and forth, creating a weapon with automatic capabilities.

Firearms in the United States are very popular, and in many ways woven in our culture. This is seen by the fact that 22% of Americans own at least one firearm based on a survey by the JustFacts.com. A major issue with certain gun regulations is the minimum age that a person must be to legally obtain a firearm. In Colorado, you must be at least 21 years old to purchase a handgun, while only 18 for purchasing long rifles. Gun control is no new idea to the United States in fact, there have been restrictions on the selling of guns since the 2nd Amendment was first drafted. Recent regulations have been passed in order to potentially keep Americans safe, restrictions that have prohibited Assault Rifles, Silencers, and Short-Barreled Weapons. But again, in light of recent events, Americans wish for “more” gun control. Regulations such as the removement of all semiautomatic weapons and shotguns in the United States has been pushed much more recently. Australia is an example of this sort of reform. Following a shooting at Port Arthur in April 1996, that claimed 35 lives, all six Australian states enacted a ban on all semi-automatic firearms, the result of this reform did in fact lower gun violence and suicide rates. Would this work in the United States? Realistically, due to the smaller ratio of people to guns in Australia vs the United States’ overwhelming amount of firearms. So it is possible for America, most likely not. However there is hope for some amount of change, whether in school, congress, or policy.

https://www.justfacts.com/guncontrol.asp